MEI2 at the A. James Clark School of Engineering, and DGIST will cooperate and develop joint projects in fields of common interest including electrochemical energy conversion and storage and advanced materials design. The agreement allows for exchange of faculty and students for research; joint research activities and the exchange of scholars for meetings; and the exchange of scholarly publications and information.

DGIST is an institute of science and technology founded by the Korean government to benefit society through development and advancement of science and engineering. The institute contributes to a national and global economy through translational research and development programs, technology commercialization and the growth of an innovation and entrepreneurship program. The Energy Science and Engineering department is working on the improvement of new renewable energies such as solar energy conversion, bio-fuels, fuel cells, secondary batteries for a more efficient use, geothermal energy, and on low-carbon gas energy production.

Professor Jong-Sung Yu, Department Chair of the Energy Science and Engineering division at DGIST said, "I am very happy to announce that we in the Energy Science and Engineering Department of DGIST can have collaborative opportunities on energy issues with MEI2 and members at the University of Maryland. I personally hope this opportunity will be a footstone for beneficial research collaborations between both institutions.”

MEI2, a Maryland state-based initiative, is designed to catalyze clean energy research programs at academic institutions in the state and attract and develop private investment in clean energy innovation and commercialization.

“We look forward to collaborating with DGIST and the opportunity to leverage expertise on energy research at both institutions as we expand our impact on an international scale,” said Eric Wachsman, director of MEI2 and William L. Crentz Centennial Chair in Energy Research at UMD.

On July 19, representatives from MEI2 and DGIST gathered at UMD to sign a memorandum of understanding to officially launch the partnership.

The Maryland Energy Innovation Institute brings together science, industry, government and economic leaders to develop new energy technologies and facilitate the transfer of technology ideas into a reality. For more information, please visit: energy.umd.edu